Calvin “Cal” Curnal Ferguson, age 80, of Grafton, ND passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, July 7th 2024.
Cal was born on May 24th, 1944 to Curnal and MaryEllen Ferguson of Drayton, ND. He was baptized in the Drayton Methodist Church and eventually became a confirmed member in 1956. He spent his childhood working on the Ferguson family farm with his father and siblings, and often spoke fondly of his formative experiences as a “farm boy”. Cal attended Herrick School of District #31, Drayton Public Schools, and graduated from Crookston Agricultural College in 1962. Following his high school graduation, Cal enlisted in the National Guard and spent his basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He spoke often of his time there, and those experiences encouraged his lifelong patriotic spirit.
On August 7th, 1965, Cal married the love of his life, Suellen Bjerke at Grafton Lutheran Church. Together, they had four children: Brenda, Shelley, Scott, and Heather.
Throughout their life, Cal and Sue moved often, residing in Linwood, WA, Seneca Falls, NY, Fountain Valley, CA, and numerous places in North Dakota. Cal was truly a jack of all trades, working as an aircraft tooler for Boeing Aircraft, a welder for Igo Welding, a warehouse manager at American Crystal Sugar, and an aircraft tooler at McDonnell Douglas.
In 1990, Cal relocated back home from California to attend the A & P program at Northland College in Thief River Falls, MN, receiving his FAA Airframe and Powerplant license. In 1996, Cal became the owner and operator of his own trucking business, Ferguson Trucking. Cal eventually retired in 2001 due to his health.
Cal had numerous hobbies that he was passionate about. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing and spending time at Devils Lake, attending Minnesota Twins baseball games, and continuing his lifelong love of the Minnesota Vikings. Above all, Cal valued time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom he treasured dearly.
Cal will always be remembered for his sense of humor, quick wit, and analytical mind. He read vigorously about topics ranging from politics to World War II, and he always stayed on top of current events. Cal also loved making people laugh, and he told jokes and played pranks on everyone around him, from family and friends to doctors and waitresses. He will be missed by so many.
Cal was preceded in death by his son, Scott Ferguson, his parents, Curnal and Mary Ellen Ferguson, his sisters, Janet (Gary) Hanson and Donna (Steve) Mosher, and his nephew Greg Ferguson.
Cal leaves behind his beloved wife Suellen Ferguson, his children, Brenda (Virgil) Ferguson, Shelley Yergen and Heather (Nathaniel) Raney, his grandchildren, Dane (Elizabeth) Ferguson, Taylor (Shannon) Schiller, Brandon Ferguson, Ryan Yergen, Elizabeth Yergen, Meghan (Alex) Sondreal, Logan Raney, Aidan Raney, and his seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 12th, 2024 at 2:00pm at Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton, ND. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Military Rites provided by American Legion Post 41 and the ND National Guard Honor Guard.
Cal was born on May 24th, 1944 to Curnal and MaryEllen Ferguson of Drayton, ND. He was baptized in the Drayton Methodist Church and eventually became a confirmed member in 1956. He spent his childhood working on the Ferguson family farm with his father and siblings, and often spoke fondly of his formative experiences as a “farm boy”. Cal attended Herrick School of District #31, Drayton Public Schools, and graduated from Crookston Agricultural College in 1962. Following his high school graduation, Cal enlisted in the National Guard and spent his basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He spoke often of his time there, and those experiences encouraged his lifelong patriotic spirit.
On August 7th, 1965, Cal married the love of his life, Suellen Bjerke at Grafton Lutheran Church. Together, they had four children: Brenda, Shelley, Scott, and Heather.
Throughout their life, Cal and Sue moved often, residing in Linwood, WA, Seneca Falls, NY, Fountain Valley, CA, and numerous places in North Dakota. Cal was truly a jack of all trades, working as an aircraft tooler for Boeing Aircraft, a welder for Igo Welding, a warehouse manager at American Crystal Sugar, and an aircraft tooler at McDonnell Douglas.
In 1990, Cal relocated back home from California to attend the A & P program at Northland College in Thief River Falls, MN, receiving his FAA Airframe and Powerplant license. In 1996, Cal became the owner and operator of his own trucking business, Ferguson Trucking. Cal eventually retired in 2001 due to his health.
Cal had numerous hobbies that he was passionate about. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing and spending time at Devils Lake, attending Minnesota Twins baseball games, and continuing his lifelong love of the Minnesota Vikings. Above all, Cal valued time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom he treasured dearly.
Cal will always be remembered for his sense of humor, quick wit, and analytical mind. He read vigorously about topics ranging from politics to World War II, and he always stayed on top of current events. Cal also loved making people laugh, and he told jokes and played pranks on everyone around him, from family and friends to doctors and waitresses. He will be missed by so many.
Cal was preceded in death by his son, Scott Ferguson, his parents, Curnal and Mary Ellen Ferguson, his sisters, Janet (Gary) Hanson and Donna (Steve) Mosher, and his nephew Greg Ferguson.
Cal leaves behind his beloved wife Suellen Ferguson, his children, Brenda (Virgil) Ferguson, Shelley Yergen and Heather (Nathaniel) Raney, his grandchildren, Dane (Elizabeth) Ferguson, Taylor (Shannon) Schiller, Brandon Ferguson, Ryan Yergen, Elizabeth Yergen, Meghan (Alex) Sondreal, Logan Raney, Aidan Raney, and his seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 12th, 2024 at 2:00pm at Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton, ND. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Military Rites provided by American Legion Post 41 and the ND National Guard Honor Guard.